Quote:
Originally Posted by sylar
I need reporters to get the WH to answer who is influencing this administration towards a policy, to find out the ulterior reason they need troops on the ground fighting isis, or depose assad, or play naval warfare on the korean peninsula.
Even with presidents who were, let's say, more "collaborative" with the corporate media, ulterior reasons are, at most, only faintly suggested by the media. Trump, having declared the press an enemy, is a tougher read as now basic facts as well as explanations with which to draw conclusions are less available.
Some media outlets have reported that Trump stands to benefit financially from some of his policies, including the use of the MOAB. With a conventional president these accusations would be easy to dismiss because that simply isn't how the grift works, so directly. However, an always important consideration with Trump is that he isn't really a part of the networks running DC in recent decades. This means his motives aren't necessarily to strictly serve to the entrenched elite interests. His background and his actions so far suggest that his narcissism, theatrical instincts, and straight grift inform his motives. So he could have definitely dropped the MOAB to increase his personal wealth. Or he could have done it for his personal aggrandizement.
Trump's opposition to involvement in Syria was one of his most consistent positions. What really changed? He sees some pictures of gassed children and shifts. Does he really feel for those kids? No. But he does want to look like a powerful protector on the world stage, at least this week. He is pathologically over concerned with how he is perceived, and one definitely gets the sense that his obsession with that will trump any considerations of the effects of his actions on the people of this or other countries.
My speculation is that his geo-political perspective is like some kind of simple game board with the main pieces being military icons, maybe a cut out of his face would be seen sticking up from a slot in a plastic battleship piece in this board game like perception. He seems to think on the extreme high level (meaning birds eye view, not high intelligence), far away from details or complex considerations of consequences. So Assad offends him with using chemical weapons, and Trump is on the phone with the generals asking them ways to move this piece there in response. Putin threatens to attack U.S. forces if they attack again, and Trump is asking how to make a big show of force and goes with the MOAB. North Korea tests a missile and Trump moves "his" destroyers and cruisers closer to NK.
There don't seem to be principles (corresponding to stated objectives of past administrations) or even rational strategy (corresponding to the ulterior motives of past administrations) guiding policy. Trump's individual psychology is probably the best basis for speculating about his policies. Given his narcissism/egoism and lack of in-depth understanding, it is probably best to view his actions through a sort of
symbolic interaction lens.